"Because I know what the hell I'm doing," Michigan interim coach Poggi said of why he should be the long term choice. "The program means a lot to me."
This fall, Michigan football interim coach Biff Poggi said he wasn't interested in becoming head coach again - he liked his role as a father figure of the program, serving as an experienced mind to bounce things off of, all while having time to spend with his grandkids.
His tune has now changed. Speaking before reporters on Monday, Dec. 22, in Schembechler Hall - the team's last public meeting before the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve in Orlando, Florida (3 p.m., ABC) - he said in no uncertain terms he does want the job.
"Because I know what the hell I'm doing," Poggi said of why he should be the choice. "I have a long, 10-year history of knowledge of this place. This place is really important to me. ... This place is magical, the program means a lot to me and it's one of the things I want to fix before I go smoke myself to death with cigars. It's one of the things I want to fix.
"I want to fix this program."
Coach Sherrone Moore was fired Dec. 10 after credible evidence surfaced he had a long term relationship with a staffer. He was later arrested after breaking into the staffer's home and was charged with felony home invasion, misdemeanor stalking and misdemeanor breaking and entering.
It's the latest scandal and arrest involving the program over the past decade, with incidents piling up the past three years specifically, leading to an investigation by an outside firm into the athletic department.
“It’s been five years of a malfunctioning organization. Let’s call it what it is, it’s happened every year," Poggi said. “The athletic director doesn’t want any more of that … there will be a massive self examination of what’s happened in this building.”
Poggi called it a "great challenge" the past few weeks to go from a role that he called largely "babysitting" to one where he's back at the top of the football food change. Poggi said he has had multiple interviews and conversations with the decision makers.
Athletic director Warde Manuel spoke to the team Monday and told the players and coaches the goal is to make a coaching decision some time between Christmas and New Year's Day − before the transfer portal opens Jan. 2, 2026.
Poggi made a subtle sales pitch to anybody watching − there were many onlookers from the lofted upper floors that oversee the Towsley Museum including GM Sean McGee, Pastor Robby Emery and color commentator Jon Jansen − on the importance of acting quickly.
The portal technically "opens" on Jan. 2 but as Poggi said very matter-of-fact, "deals are being done now ... every big school in the country, those deals are getting done right now."
Poggi - and Michigan for that matter - are in this position because former coach Sherrone Moore was fired on Wednesday, Dec. 10 after credible evidence surfaced he had a long term relationship with a staffer. He was later arrested after breaking into the staffer's home and was charged with felony home invasion, misdemeanor stalking and misdemeanor breaking and entering.
Now, the Wolverines are on the search. Players have already publicly backed him as the next man for the job. Poggi might not be the favorite, but he's no longer the long shot he was once thought to be.
"Nobody knows what's going to happen, I don't know what's going to happen," he said. "I just appreciate being considered."
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Biff Poggi hopes to be next Michigan coach: 'I want to fix this program'
Category: General Sports
